Shane Warne declared Australian cricket icon Richie Benaud was "the best there's ever been" as tributes poured in for the former commentator and Test captain on Friday.

Benaud passed away during the night between Thursday and Friday in Australia at the age of 84, ending over half a century of involvement in cricket around the world.

The New South Welshman retired from Test cricket in 1964 as Australia's then-longest-serving captain, while he became even more famous during his post-playing career, becoming the face of Channel 9's broadcasts in Australia, while also calling matches in England for BBC and Channel Four.

Warne - Australia's most successful Test bowler and, like Benaud, a leg-spinner - hailed his former mentor and his wife Daphne on Instagram.

"I've known you & Daphne for close to 30 years & to everyone you were a legend on all levels & rightly so too," Warne wrote.

"As a cricketer, commentator & as a person, you were the best there's ever been & to top it off, an absolute gentleman... For me it was an honour & a privilege to call you a close friend & mentor, we had so many wonderful times together, talking cricket & in particular, our love & passion of leg spin bowling. I will cherish our entertaining dinners & all the fun times we shared over a long period of time.

"I would also like to thank you & Daphne for all your support & time you made for me as a young cricketer & leg spin bowler trying to make his way as an 18 year old, your support & advice along the journey as well meant so much!!!

"Richie, you were loved by everyone, not just the cricket family, you were the godfather of cricket & you will be missed by all... R.I.P my friend #BowledRichie."

Australia coach Darren Lehmann labelled Benaud "one of the games all time [sic] greats" on Twitter, while captain Michael Clarke added on Instagram: "What a man. Extremely sad day. You were a lot more then [sic] just a cricketer Richie. RIP."

Cricket journalist Gideon Haigh wrote Benaud's obituary in The Australian and underlined the former broadcaster's influence on the game through his commentary.

"[Former BBC commentator] John Arlott has been garlanded as the 'voice of cricket'; Benaud was indisputably the 'face of cricket', being involved in the telecasts of Test matches and one-day internationals by Australia's Channel Nine, the BBC and Channel Four for half a century," Haigh wrote.

"Behind the microphone, Benaud was mix of the pithy and the oracular, relying on no particular motifs and no special catchphrases. He drew simply on a lifetime's knowledge, applied pertinently and phrased economically.

"In a way, because his opinions so often became gospel, he was as influential as any cricket administrator of the post-war period. In Wisden Australia, Dr Greg Manning once denoted him 'cricket's philosopher king'."